The Only One That's Me

Unsung Heroes

2010-05-01T08:41:00.000+02:00

In a world full of greed, selfishness and unkindness, and a society where life is rapidly losing value, stories such as these bring a ray of hope. Beauty can be found in the most unlikely places, and I am not talking about the kind of beauty that can be seen, but the kind that can be felt through partaking in an unselfish act.

(David Siervo, Chile:) February 27, 2010. 3:37 A.M. For two seemingly eternal minutes, Chile is rocked by a massive 8.8-degree earthquake with its epicenter just off the coast, 90 km north of the city of Concepción. The ensuing tidal waves (three of them) that hit the coastline from Pichilemu to Talcahuano devastated much of what remained standing in the lower areas close to the sea. Some small fishing towns, such as Iloca, are simply wiped off the map.

The city of Constitución lies at the mouth of the Maule River. At the very mouth of the river lies the small island of Orrego, covered with forest and about 250 meters from either shore. The end-of-summer celebrations in Constitución traditionally include an event called the Venetian Night, complete with fireworks, music, and dancing, that was to take place the following night. Had the earthquake hit that night, the death toll would have been much higher, as usually from 700 to 1,000 people camp out on the island to watch the fireworks. As it was, some 150 to 200 (the exact number is still unknown, as there are many missing who haven’t been accounted for) had headed out the night before to get a good spot.

Having lived there all their lives, the townspeople knew that in the event of an earthquake, they only had a few minutes to flee to higher ground to avoid getting caught by the ensuing tidal wave, though nothing as big as what they were about to witness had ever hit Constitución. However, the people on the island had no way of getting ashore quickly. Survivors say that immediately after the quake, the sea receded with such a horrific roar that it sounded like some prehistoric monster, ready to pounce on its prey.

As the people took to the hills, two humble fishermen—one of them accompanied by his 17-year-old son—set off in their rowboats toward the island in a desperate attempt to bring the campers ashore. It would take them the better part of ten minutes to make the trip across, get about 8 to 10 people on board, and make it back.

They managed to make the first trip safely. On the second trip, when the boat was nearly full, the fisherman called to his boy to get on board.

“Father,” said the boy, “take one more person back, and I’ll come on the next trip.”

The father insisted, but the boy would not budge. He kept repeating calmly: “I’ll be fine, father. Save these people.”

The father knew there most likely wouldn’t be enough time for another trip. But seeing that his son was determined to stay, he let another person on, and with tears in his eyes, set off rowing furiously toward the shore.

The other fisherman, Juan Gomez, a gruff man, used to the rigors of the sea, had gone on before him, and having let his passengers off on the shore, defiantly headed out again to fetch another batch just as the tide steadily started to rise.

Then the second wave hit.

A massive 15-meter-high wall of water struck the coast with unimaginable force, completely covering the island and sweeping away everything on its way 10 km up the river, leaving a path of destruction behind it.

Looking at the devastation a week later, I couldn’t help but wonder how anybody could have survived, and yet … miracles still happen in the 21st century.

In a supreme act of heroism, the boy gave his life so that somebody else could live. Incredible as it seems, his father managed to make it through the ordeal, though his fellow fisherman, Juan Gomez, did not.

But there are other accounts of what happened that terrifying night that defy all belief.

Twenty-three-year-old Mariela Rojas and her three-year-old son, Tomás, had been on the island since the beginning of the summer, where Mariela and her sister tended a small food stand. After the quake, Mariela grabbed a small life jacket they kept there, put it on Tomás, and tied it firmly. They survived the initial more gradual tidal wave by holding on to a tree. When the second wave hit in full force, they were swept away. In Mariela’s own words:

“When we were hit by the second wave, I determined not to let go of my boy. I held on to him tightly as the strong current carried us along. We must’ve been in the water for about an hour, though it seemed an eternity to me [it was actually over two hours]. Though Tomás cried throughout the ordeal, that was reassuring, because as long as he was crying, I knew he hadn’t drowned.”

The sea finally tossed them up on the river bank close to the high bridge that crosses the Maule River, some 5 km upstream. There they were spotted by Justo Rebolledo, a fisherman who had fled to the hills and come down after the second wave to see about his boats, convinced that the worst had passed.

“There they were, exhausted and tangled in a pile of rubble. The girl was screaming for help and her little boy was shivering with cold. I took them by the hand and led them up the hill. Three minutes later, the third wave hit.”

Unfortunately, Mariela’s sister and brother-in-law did not survive. Neither did two friends of hers and their two young children, all of whom were on the island at the time of the disaster.

Twenty-six senior citizens lived at a small home for the elderly not far from the waterfront, which was run by two nuns. The old house was already badly damaged by the quake, but the nuns knew they would not be able to get the old folks out in time to avoid the tidal wave, as some of them could barely walk. So they instructed them to stand in a cluster and embrace each other firmly. All but two did as they were told, and although they sustained bruises and other minor injuries, they all survived. The two who went off looking for their things in another room unfortunately lost their lives.

Another elderly man was on the island with his nine-year-old grandson. They managed to climb a tree high enough to avoid the full brunt of the second tidal wave. The man kept encouraging the boy to hold on and not give up, until his own strength gave way and he was carried off by the current. For the next four hours, the boy clung to the tree, badly bruised, soaking wet, and screaming for help at the top of his lungs, until he was finally rescued by yet another fisherman in his boat, after the third wave.

What were the odds of Mariela and her son surviving such an experience? God only knows. Again, what are the odds of 24 elderly folks, some of them crippled, others senile, most of them barely able to walk, let alone run or swim, surviving an earthquake and subsequent tidal wave? Statistically impossible to calculate, but no doubt extremely low. And once again, what are the odds of a nine-year-old boy surviving three tidal waves by clinging to a treetop? Surely next to nil.

Such are the miracles that occur in the wake of major disasters. And such are the unsung heroes who help make those miracles possible. The anonymous, humble, noble-hearted, oft-forgotten fishermen who did not hesitate to lay their lives on the line to save others. The dedicated nuns who humbly serve the lonely and the destitute, day in and day out, asking nothing in return. The common folk who have lost everything, even loved ones, and yet are ready to bounce back and rebuild their lives upon the rubble of their former homes.

At Juan Gomez’s funeral, attended by hundreds who came to pay homage to this true hero, a young lady with a beautiful voice, who is a close relative of his, sang a heart-wrenching Spanish version of Amazing Grace. The entire congregation wept until they could weep no more.

And so do I, as I write these lines and ponder the courage of these noble men and women, about the true meaning of life and death, sacrifice and unselfishness, gain and loss, and such fickle things as fortune and fame, so often used as the measure of success.

I presumptuously went down to Constitución as a relief effort volunteer, thinking I was doing humanity a service. Little did I know the lessons of humility, resilience, and thankfulness God had in store for me there, and who I was to learn them from: the poorest of the poor by worldly standards, and yet the richest of the rich in God’s eyes.

May this be a humble tribute to those unsung heroes, who by their shining examples have lifted a powerful beacon to light our way. And mostly, may it be a song of praise to the Creator of all things, who laid it upon their hearts to offer their lives on the altar of sacrifice so that others could live. What a fitting reminder of our Savior’s sacrifice, Who gave His life so that we could freely have life eternal.

Happy Valentines

2010-02-14T16:01:00.001+01:00

Happy Valentines to the best friend, lover, and husband I could ask for. I love you!

Poetry

2010-02-05T21:52:00.002+01:00

Came to me today...spent a fair amount of time on it, but anything worth something costs something...right? Couldn't come up with a name yet...any ideas?

I reach for you, I feel a touch
Naked I stand, without shame
Expectant of your soft caress
I close my eyes, relax my frame

Burning with your kisses,
The heat flows down my skin
As you smoothly glide across me
A sigh sounds from within

As every part absorbs your warmth
The cold world's left outside
Behind a shadowed veil we stay
Swept along our steamy tide

Fall on me now, leave behind your trace
Like drops of rain on a spring times' day
When all is done I'll turn my back
Leave your side and walk away

I'll seal up tight your rush of power
Till next I need your warm embrace
I know I'll find you in your lair
Waiting to kiss my upturned face.

--Dedicated to my shower (muwahahaha, no I do not have too much time on my hands ;-))

Face Painting

2010-02-03T19:37:00.000+01:00

We have an event on Saturday the 6th of February, so I have been practicing my face painting skills...not like I actually ever did it, but I do have artistic talent so it was easy to pick up.

Our Unexpected Tree

2009-12-19T14:40:00.000+01:00

The Beer Story

2009-11-29T18:25:00.000+01:00

One day, during a party, someone decided to throw away their empty beer can in the drain pipe of our roof.

Every day I could see this beer can littering our pipe and continually told myself that I would go clean it up. However, it never happened.

Finally one day I was outside watching the kids and remembered the beer can, so I reached up and felt around through a bunch of muck till I struck gold...and I actually did hit gold...well ok beer to be exact, because rather then finding an empty piece of trash there was a beautiful, cold, aged can of beer.

I happily drank that beer with my dinner, and though it is not a super brand, the circumstances made it taste better.

Moral of the story, don't neglect the most menial of tasks, cause you never know what you will find.

Oh, and thanks to whoever decided to stow their can up there. Your act of...well, whatever it was, came back to make someone's day more beer filled.

The hero of the story

God IS Great

2009-11-27T11:37:00.000+01:00

Last week we needed a certain amount of funds for some upcoming bills. We got together to pray and thought about seeing if we should go for more teams out, which would take away from other important things we have to do, namely teaching, since we have quite a few kids, and working on brochures and advertising for our project and entertainment company.
Well, that same night, even before we got together, someone who received an unexpected financial return, decided to send us something. It turned out to be almost double of what we needed. God is great!!!

My Latest Literary Efforts

2009-11-26T13:47:00.001+01:00

Pretend

We sit and sigh and wonder why,
We look away and try to hide,
All the while we feel inside
something..
...but we just pretend.

Locked away never to rise
Hoping to keep our soul disguised
All the while it's in our eyes,
something..
...but we just pretend.

We can't express the truth we know
For fear we earn a deadly blow
Yet we wish we could just show
something...
...but we just pretend.

So close, so far, a force in place
Gazing searchingly in our face
A clear and unmistakable trace,
of something,
...but we just pretend.

A shadow falls and lights turn out,
A time that was is turned about,
Lost forever in a sea of doubt
All that's left is a saddened shout
...why do we pretend.

Random Kindness

2009-11-12T22:31:00.001+01:00

"Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty." I have always been the type of person who likes to do things for others. It became a habit to the point that I did not really think about it....which is good in one way, and not in another. It became more like something I did by rote. I read that line the other day and it stuck in my mind and I realized that I have to take time out every day to look for those random acts and make them happen. Once I made that decision and took appropriate action, those senseless acts of beauty made the difficult times and confusions of life make sense, and I am happier for it.

Random Kindness

Virgo Birthday Party '09

2009-09-20T11:55:00.005+02:00

Virgo birthday party/house-warming party...dancing, drinks and fun...we work hard and we party hard. That's the way it should be!

How Time Has Passed

2009-09-05T11:33:00.003+02:00

I remembered recently that I had a blog. As soon as I got a FB account, by blog got forgotten. (I am sorry blog, I still love you...naughty FB)

Anyways, the past month has been busy, but exciting with our move and getting set up. Lets see...

We set up basically as much as we could in the first week.

I crammed to get the kids school stuff in order sometime in the middle weeks of August.

We got permission to homeschool, Darren and Kenny attend gym and music classes and Liani goes to the gym once a week.

We got our classroom almost completely set up.

The Lord supplied the fixing of our bikes (turned out to be quite a hefty sum) for the kids to use to go to classes...yay!

A family that lives nearby came over to visit at Kenny's birthday party. The mom wants weekly bible studies.

I was 'hired' to teach 4 kids English.

A couple down our road ran over our dog, they came over yesterday and brought their 2 girls with them. We had 11 kids upstairs playing cooking for the little girls, and UNO for the older ones.

We had a van, borrowed from the Sky people, (thanks guys) but they needed it back, so we are car less, but not to worry. Everything is taken care of until our new car arrives. The place who fixed our bikes for us is 5 minutes away as is the company who is donating the printing of 3 A1 size banners/posters for the Expat Expo where we have a table, which was also donated. Shopping is a bike trip away and well, when you have people coming to your door, why go out to look for them?

We set up a entertainment company which did not seem to be doing much, but recently we have had something every weekend. Today is a party, which Leny is going to, and we were told by the father of the kid to bring a lot of cards as he is part of a company that provides entertainment and they would like to add our face painting and ballooning to their packages.

We started school on Monday and everything went as smoothly as possible...was not always possible..heh

OK, a few pics from Kenny's birthday

The Zoo

2009-07-23T11:43:00.005+02:00

An odd advertisement...

Pics of Our New House

2009-07-01T17:58:00.006+02:00

We are moving in 1 month to our new place. We have a team, a house and a grand project. I think that's a good start. Will keep you posted for updates on how it all goes. Whether we live or die, at least we tried. Of course, we are confident in the good Lord that we will live and not just live, but thrive.

Pics

For those who do not know, below is our project:

Sponsor the Future

The Shack part 2

2009-06-20T22:23:00.003+02:00

Parts of the book 'The Shack' that I found particularly intriguing or thought provoking:

from chapter 9

“Mackenzie, you are such a delight! Thank you for all your hard work!” said Papa. (God)

“I didn’t do that much, really,” he apologized. “I mean, look at this mess.” His gaze moved over the garden that surrounded them. “But it really is beautiful, and full of you, Sarayu (Holy Spirit). Even though it seems like lots of work still needs to be done, I feel strangely at home and comfortable here.”

The two looked at each other and grinned.

Sarayu stepped toward him until she had invaded his personal space. “And well you should, Mackenzie, because this garden is your soul. This mess is you! Together, you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive—a living fractal.”

The impact of her words almost crumbled all of Mack’s reserve. He looked again at their garden—his garden—and it really was a mess, but incredible and wonderful at the same time. And beyond that, Papa was here and Sarayu loved the mess.

from chapter 10

The beauty was staggering. He could make out the shack, where smoke leisurely rose from the red, brick chimney as it nestled against the greens of the orchard and forest. But dwarfing it all was a massive range of mountains that hovered above and behind, like sentinels standing guard. Mack simply sat, Jesus next to him, and inhaled the visual symphony.

“You do great work!” he said softly.

“Thank you, Mack, and you’ve seen so little. For now most of what exists in the universe will only be seen and enjoyed by me, like special canvasses in the back of an artist’s studio, but one day . . . And can you imagine this scene if the earth was not at war, striving so hard just to survive?”

“And you mean what, exactly?”

“Our earth is like a child who has grown up without parents, having no one to guide and direct her.” As Jesus spoke, his voice intensified in subdued anguish. “Some have attempted to help her but most have simply tried to use her. Humans, who have been given the task to lovingly steer the world, instead plunder her with no consideration, other than their immediate needs. And they give little thought for their own children who will inherit their lack of love. So they use her and abuse her with little consideration and then when she shudders or blows her breath, they are offended and raise their fist at God.”

from chap 11

“So, who is it that I am supposed to judge?”

“God,” she paused, “and the human race.” She said it as if it was of no particular consequence. It simply rolled off her tongue, as if this were a daily occurrence.

Mack was dumbfounded. “You have got to be kidding!” he exclaimed.

“Why not? Surely there are many people in your world you think deserve judgment. There must be at least a few who are to blame for so much of the pain and suffering? What about the greedy who feed off the poor of the world? What about the ones who sacrifice their young children to war? What about the men who beat their wives, Mackenzie? What about the fathers who beat their sons for no reason but to assuage their own suffering? Don’t they deserve judgment, Mackenzie?”

“And what about the man who preys on innocent little girls? What about him, Mackenzie? Is that man guilty? Should he be judged?”

“Yes!” screamed Mack. “Damn him to hell!”

“What about his father, the man who twisted his son into a terror, what about him?”

“Yes, him too!”

“How far do we go back, Mackenzie? This legacy of brokenness goes all the way back to Adam, what about him? But why stop there? What about God? God started this whole thing. Is God to blame?”

Mack was reeling. He didn’t feel like a judge at all, but rather the one on trial.

The woman was unrelenting. “Isn’t this where you are stuck, Mackenzie? Isn’t this what fuels The Great Sadness? That God cannot be trusted? Surely, a father like you can judge the Father!”

Again his anger rose like a towering flame. He wanted to lash out, but she was right and there was no point in denying it.

“Yes! God is to blame!” The accusation hung in the room as the gavel fell in his heart.

“Then,” she said with finality, “if you are able to judge God so easily, then you certainly can judge the world.” Again she spoke without emotion. “You must choose two of your children to spend eternity in God’s new heavens and new earth, but only two.” “And you must choose three of your children to spend eternity in hell.”

Mack couldn’t believe what he was hearing and started to panic.

“Mackenzie.” Her voice now came as calm and wonderful as first he heard it. “I am only asking you to do something that you believe God does. He knows every person ever conceived, and he knows them so much deeper and clearer than you will ever know your own children. He loves each one according to his knowledge of the being of that son or daughter. You believe he will condemn most to an eternity of torment, away from His presence and apart from His love.

“I can’t do this,” he said softly.

“You must,” she replied.

“I can’t do this,” he said louder and more vehemently.

“You must,” she said again, her voice softer.

Finally he looked at her, pleading with his eyes. “Could I go instead? If you need someone to torture for eternity, I’ll go in their place. Would that work? Could I do that?”

He fell at her feet, crying and begging now. “Please let me go for my children, please, I would be happy to . . . Please, I am begging you. Please . . . Please . . .”

Looking at her through blurring tears, he could see that her smile was radiant. “Now you sound like Jesus. You have judged well, Mackenzie. I am so proud of you!”

“But I haven’t judged anything,” Mack offered in confusion.

“Oh, but you have. You have judged them worthy of love, even if it cost you everything. That is how Jesus loves. And now you know Papa’s heart,” she added, “who loves all his children perfectly.”

from chapter 16

Today, we are throwing a big rock into the lake and those ripples will reach places you would not expect. You already know what I want, don’t you?”

“I’m afraid I do,” Mack mumbled, feeling emotions rising as they seeped out of a locked room in his heart.

“Son, you need to speak it, to name it.”

Now there was no holding back as hot tears poured down his face and between sobs Mack began to confess. “Papa,” he cried, “how can I ever forgive that son of a bitch who killed my Missy. If he were here today, I don’t know what I would do. I know it isn’t right, but I want him to hurt like he hurt me . . . if I can’t get justice, I still want revenge.”

“Mack, for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to me and allow me to redeem him.”

“Redeem him?” Again Mack felt the fire of anger and hurt. “I don’t want you to redeem him! I want you to hurt him, to punish him, to put him in hell . . .” His voice trailed off.

Papa waited patiently for the emotions to ease.

“I’m stuck, Papa. I just can’t forget what he did, can I?” Mack implored.

“Forgiveness is not about forgetting, Mack. It is about letting go of another person’s throat.”

“But this man . . .”

“But he too is my son. I want to redeem him.”

The Shack

2009-06-18T13:58:00.002+02:00

My thoughts on The Shack:

I found myself identifying with Mack throughout the beginning. As he experienced The Great Sadness, I did too. I thought of something like that happening to me, and all the feelings of utter helplessness, and the hate and revenge was as real to me as it was to him. I was surprised at my reaction, as a Christian who grew up knowing God loves and cares for me and mine, who had Rom 8 28 a part of my daily life lessons since I was a tot, yet here I was telling myself if anyone had done to me what this man experienced, I would have hunted him down and sent him to hell and back a few times.
It's my right, no? Isn't that what some deserve? Apparently not! However right I would feel about doing that, I would be wrong. I know that in theory, but the way this book puts it down changes ones perspective and causes one to question our own capabilities to love, to forgive, to understand, to accept, to trust. Do we really forgive and accept? Or do we 'believe' we do, but in our hearts we still cling to our 'rights'?
As Mack experienced cleansing and renewal, I was given a renewed perception on life and love, on forgiveness, on trusting God and His plan for man kind. Basically principles I 'learned', but never had put down in such plain human fashion.
Altogether an interesting, thought provoking read.

Blank

2009-06-16T11:40:00.000+02:00

Every so often I go blank. Nothing passes through my mind, nothing comes out that makes sense. I look and try to find a gem amidst all the rubble and noise, the silence and calm, but all that I get is a sigh. I close my eyes and I find a dream.
This is one of those times.

Dustin is One

2009-06-10T21:38:00.004+02:00

On June 5th, Dustin Anthony turned 1. We had a small, simple, pool party and invited one of our neighbors, who has a 3 year old girl, over to join the kids. Dustin enjoyed the pool more then anything else, even his cake.
As always, with each of our kids' 1st birthday, we made him his own little cake and let him do whatever he wanted to with it. Well, he dug in to the whipping cream and had fun.
Happy Birthday little man. Growing so fast and learning new things every day. We love you tons!

Interesting

2009-06-08T21:15:00.002+02:00

Miss Indonesia 2009

http://giselabarbosa.blogspot.com/2009/06/miss-indonesia-2009.html

Just Pics

2009-06-02T11:22:00.003+02:00

My Brazilian soccer team

Dustin Walks

2009-05-14T22:12:00.002+02:00

A Bit of This and That

2009-05-11T14:00:00.006+02:00

Recent pics of the kids...

...growing up so fast...

...one has to wonder...

..."Where did all the time go?"

Enjoy them while they are still around.

Liani and Darren celebrated their birthdays together. We had a simple little party with their friends from the area. It was Easter themed. There was a chocolate egg hunt, games (organized by Kay), cake and ice cream, and basket ball for the parents, well the dads. The moms got the clean up. :-)

Trying out the pool for the first time...it's an older pic, I have been neglecting my blog.

Fly

2009-05-01T08:25:00.001+02:00

God said, “Come to the edge.”
We said, “It’s too high.”
“Come to the edge.”
We said, “We might fall.”
“Come to the edge.”
We came, and He pushed us, and we flew.

A.S.A.P

2009-04-25T11:07:00.002+02:00

I read this the other day and it was quite fitting to life as we know it. With all there is to do, we must never forget that prayer will do much more then all our running around could ever hope to accomplish.

"Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet;
You've got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
"Quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He'll respond to all your needs
A.S.A.P. - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER."

Now That's Proactive Planning

2009-04-09T14:32:00.006+02:00

When all other 18 year olds are thinking about how they're going to make money to get themselves a car, Darren will go out and buy his. Yesterday he announced his intentions of saving his pocket money for 10 years so he can get this:

A Lotus M250

His idea came from one of his toy cars and he asked if it was a real car so he could get it.

We'll see how long his determination lasts....

Life is Beachy

2009-03-26T13:40:00.003+01:00

Here are the first pics of my time in Spain. (thanks Esty)

Hotel

2009-03-19T18:42:00.002+01:00

The Hotel we hosted the seminar at...

http://www.medplaya.com/hotel.php?idm=2&cs=1&ch=6

On their site I found the description of their food....kinda made me laugh....

"Taste the succulent cooking of meat and fish that are made by our chef." Oh well PTL, they tried their best. We had buffet meals and had a variety to choose from. I found something good most of the time.

The breakfast coffee was quite sad, with instant coffee and instant milk in the machines, but with a little ingenuity, as well as many stops at the bar, I managed to survive.

The rooms were small, but I was rarely there so it didn't matter. What it did have that I enjoyed fully was a bath. Yay! I took a bath every single day. No need to worry about the budget.

Home

2009-03-19T16:11:00.003+01:00

I am home! Spain was nice, with pleasant weather the 8 days I was there. I even went swimming in the sea. The seminar was fun, informative, though hard work. Caring for a baby while hosting a seminar, not such a good idea, but i did have some help so it worked out OK. Dustin was a happy boy, considering the circumstances. Anyways, good to be home.
Pics coming soon.....! (I hope)

Trip

2009-03-09T22:23:00.002+01:00

I am off to Spain tomorrow, off to warm weather, sun and sea. Doubt it'll be warm enough to swim, but who knows at least it is springy. I love snow and this winter has been the best so far, but I am itching for spring to come, thus my exuberance at taking this trip.

Ice queen laying your robes over rocks, grass and tree tops,
Turn again from whence you came,
Snow white land over cast by clouds and tiny slivers of sun drops,
Let the warmth of spring cover you the same.

Peeking out from a snowy patch cozy in a bed of emerald green,
Little dots of blue, purple and white,
Heralding the coming of winter's demise and sunshine's reign,
Of death reborn and filled with life.

Dustin

2009-03-01T00:45:00.003+01:00

school time

the wuv

growing up

communicating with closets

sisterly love

Skis and Snowboards

2009-02-23T22:46:00.004+01:00

Lots of snow this year means fun times. Don't go by Kenny's look...he is actually having fun...

Darren

Kay and Liani

My little pro...

Kenny learning to snow board

The boys with Andy, visiting from India

Andy and Mich trying to make it look like they are speeding along down the slope....they do look rather silly so lets help them out a bit...

...that's better...

Of Teeth

2009-02-21T13:54:00.005+01:00

Kenny lost his first tooth, with Darren following a few days later. The tooth fairy was generous and gave them 2 franks each. Oh yay. On the other hand Dustin has gained 2 teeth. Maybe she passed them on to him. Who knows...!

Look, I lotht a tooth. Thee mom.

Brushy brushy....

Din't get to capture a pic of Darren's anyways, his new tooth was already there behind the old one...arrg. Hope he doesn't need braces.

Girl Power

2009-02-18T12:42:00.004+01:00

We had a big snowfall, and so Stella and I spent some time clearing our drive way. I dare say we did a pretty good job. It was snowing so much, that after we finished, the first half we had done was already covered with 10cm of snow and needed a second round.

Lots of snow...

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T11:23:00.005+01:00

This day has never been just about me and my significant other, since I never had any till I was 23 and married. I always just celebrated it as a day of doing nice things for others. Since giving to others has always been fun for me, the anticipation of seeing someone's reaction to a surprise is multiplied over many times when I do things for other people and not just one person.

Even after being married, we always did something for random people in our home. Roses to all the single ladies, a card for the guys or some special treat for a good friend.

And this year was no different. Cards were given to all the guys, signed by all the ladies, and the latter each received one rose. (No one knew about the roses and the guys did not know about the cards and..did I forget to mention the chocolate?..I did.) Oh and I also was part of a secret surprise for someone...shhhhhh......Anyways, I had fun.

Besides I also did get something solid out of it all besides satisfaction of seeing a bunch of happy people, some tulips from DV and roses from Kenny who insisted that I buy them using his pocket money since they were a special present from him to me. So sweet.

So Happy Valentines to you all. May you use it to make someone's day brighter.

Christmas Present

2009-01-27T23:15:00.001+01:00

We all know how impractical it is to drag a desktop from table to table, so in order to multi task, I got a laptop. Now, a few years later, carrying a laptop from place to place just didn't seem to cut it for this day and age, so I got this. It is small, handy and I can use it at any time: while nursing the baby, walking him around the room, and while riding in the car. Now I can truly redeem the time and play Solitaire throughout the day.

Oh, Right....

2009-01-25T11:48:00.000+01:00

....I have a blog, I should post sometime.

Kids and Their World

2009-01-10T20:46:00.003+01:00

Liani was standing on the scale. I asked her what she was doing. She replied, " I'm sizing my weighs".

We were playing a board game that uses little cars. It's a game of life where you get jobs, buy a home and so on. At the end you retire. When explaining that to the kids, Kenny said, " Oh yes, it's when you get new tires so you can keep going."

When praying for the night Kenny asked, "Can we pray like the Mississippians?" (meaning Muslims)

One night I went to check on the kids to make sure they were doing good. Liani was out of bed on the other side of the room talking with the boys. I sent her to bed. About 10 min later I went back in the room cause I heard talking. Liani was again by the boys beds. I sent her back to bed. About 30 seconds later I heard talking again, came in the room and as soon as she saw me she said in a very exasperated voice, "Ohh, not again."

Liani was opening and closing drawers in the kitchen. This conversation ensued:
Mom: Please stop playing in the kitchen.
Liani: i am not playing I have to check on things that I am cooking.
Mom: Well, can you check on things in the dining room? The kitchen is dangerous.
Liani on her way out the door: Mom, a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. Tsk tsk...little girl, big attitude.

Dead Zoo

2009-01-03T16:45:00.005+01:00

I was told that when I was 2, we visited the natural history museum in Geneva, and when asked how my outing was, I said that we went to a zoo, but all the animals were dead.
We've revisited that dead zoo many times in my child hood, and I wanted to share that special experience with my kids as well....so since we were spending our vacation with my parents in their home in Geneva, we made a stop over.
Actually it is a very cool place with big realistic sceneries of animals and their habitats all over the world.

Kay got a camera for Christmas. Below are her shots of the museum sights.

Yup, it does have a two heads, no, I did not do that in photo shop, yes it is alive. On the bottom floor they have a couple terrariums with various reptiles on display. This guy was born the same year as my daughter. Of course she does not have two heads.....

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T19:42:00.007+01:00

A prayer for the new year and every year. If only the world would give it its rightful place in their lives, what a different world we could be living in.

I know that you long to fulfill everything I've asked of you, but what I long for the most is to see you happy, living in joy, going to bed each night tired but with a feeling of fulfillment and happiness, and truly loving your life.

There's no way I'll be able to magically wipe away all your fears and worries—at least not on Earth—but there most certainly is a way to relieve them. Do you know what that is? It's in the Bible: "Become as a little child" you can learn from their example of living more for the moment, and enjoying the simple things in life.

Enjoy the time you have right now. If you don't enjoy it right now, you really don't get another chance. You can reminisce about good times or regret bad times. You can remember with fondness how you did enjoy the moment, or lament that you didn't. But the only actual time you can enjoy the moment is right now, at the moment. So seize the moment! Seize the joy!

Do you know the secret to a merry heart?—Don't take life so seriously! I spent a major part of My ministry trying to get people to lighten up a bit and enjoy life and the beauty of God's creation, as well as wine, women, and songs!

So HAPPY NEW YEAR Everyone!!

Quotes from Surviving and Succeeding

25 Things

2008-12-29T10:47:00.004+01:00

25 things I am thankful for, from this past year:
-a pain free cesarean
-a well built and healthy child number 5
-more snow then the past 4 years
-the kids had no major illnesses
-Faith now and Forever GN
-Baileys as a Christmas present
-fun parties
-quick loss of weight after pregnancy
-I received more understanding for the human race
-a new laptop
-opportunity to teach my boys
-a nice holiday with my parents and siblings
-a crazy idea to try out
-accident free children
-trip to the UK and got the best liquor chocolates ever for 99p
-trip to Italy for a seminar and had great pizza and great ice cream
-my blog...keeps me updated on myself
-changes in my school plans
-room changes
-new home members
-kids got to perform for Christmas even though we had hardly any time to prepare
-Megashift book summary
-almost learned to adapt to having 5 kids
-that I am another year closer to something, anything, whatever it is..
-the Lord supplied laptops for the kids' school

Christmas Joy

2008-12-25T17:04:00.004+01:00

The kids were able to visit various retirement homes for their Christmas witnessing. Everyone loved them. I brought Dustin to some of the places nearby, and he was a real hit. He would go from arm to arm and just sit on their laps or babble to them.
It is amazing what a baby can do. One incident stood out to me. One of the ladies was blind and hard of hearing. She looked a bit lost with whatever was happening around, but when Dustin was put in her arms, there was an amazing change. She broke out into the biggest smile ever and her face shone. It was very touching and sweet. She sat there holding him and he cuddled in her arms without making a sound.
Another cute time was with a man who couldn't speak. Dustin sat on the table opposite him and they 'spoke' together using whatever sounds they could. The man was smiling and laughing as they communicated in a way we can only guess at.

One of our 12 FS members was the entertainer for the restaurant in the building where he has his offices. He invited us to accompany him and have the kids perform for the customers. The kids did their best show and the crowd was very responsive and appreciative.

My adorable little rascals experiencing something 'fweaky'. (see a previous post)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T15:29:00.003+01:00

We are visiting my parents' home this year for the Christmas/New Years season. We have a large Family and all our relatives live nearby so our Christmas went something like this:

First a Christmas with my Grandma, with tea, snacks, and cookies, and then presents for her great grand kids.

The next day a Christmas at my aunts with my uncles, nephews and niece etc. with a nice dinner of salmon, ham, cheeses and toasts, with good drinks, (I had some 20 year old wine and some pink champagne) then a few cakes and my aunts famous chocolate moose, (an old Christmas tradition).

The next morning another smaller Christmas from my other grandma, who couldn't be with us this year, but sent over goodie bags which we passed out at our Christmas breakfast.

Lastly but not leastly, the Christmas with the home here, (mainly composed at the moment of our family), which we have not even celebrated yet (still waiting for the last of the siblings). We will have our Christmas dinner then and the gifts we have gotten for each other.

Come to think of it, we had also a Christmas celebration with our home before we left. Yay for Christmas...and yay for Jesus who was born then.

And here is a Merry Christmas from Dustin who is soo happy to mess up the piles of presents...

Potty Time

2008-12-21T16:23:00.002+01:00

Dustin started using the potty. He quite likes it. I put a small chair in front of him like a table and some toys and he plays happily for awhile.

Oh the joy....

In the Life of a Three Year Old

2008-12-19T08:00:00.005+01:00

When I said, "Bed time" Liani sorta threw herself on her bed and lightly bonked her head on the wall. I left the room with her OK and smiling. When I came back in a minute later I saw her walking around the room holding her head saying, "Oh the pain, the pain." over and over in this melo-dramatic way.

Here is a typical conversation with Liani:
One of my boys asked me something about mammals. I replied with a comment on how not all animals are mammals. The following conversation ensued with Liani, who pretty much 'knows everything', and I:

Liani: Mammals are not mammals.

Mom: Mammals are animals that feed their babies milk. Even people are mammals.

Liani: People are not animals, because mammals are not people. And birds can fly.

Mom: Animals can be reptiles like crocodiles, mammals like dogs, birds and fish.

Liani: I know, but, when animals are mammals the fish can swim, but crocodiles don't fly, they come to eat you.

...and on it goes.

Vanity
Liani is the vain one of the family. Here are some reasons why I know:

a. She can't wear a sweater over her dress because then she does not look like a girl.
b. When she dances, she needs to wear a skirt or some sort of special dress otherwise, in her own words, she 'dances like a boy'.
c. She needs sparkely, golden shoes to dance because that is what dancers wear.
d. I will find her wearing a different set of clothes at an odd time of the day and it would be because 'my pants don't spin', 'my shirt did not match' (as if...), or 'they didn't make me pretty'.

After being outside, Liani ran in the room saying, "That was the fweakiest thing ever. It was so fweaky. That was the worst thing in the life." I was picturing all the horrible things a 3 year old could see that would prompt such an outburst. "What was freaky?" I asked. "Daddy took pictures of us in the snow without our jackets. It was fweaky."

Wasted Day?

2008-12-09T07:59:00.003+01:00

This is me....sometimes it seems all I do all day is make a baby smile, sit on the floor and shake a rattle to make him happy, chop out shapes for my 3 year old to glue, help my boys build their lego, struggle through a math page with one of the kids, and since I can't be much of a help in home duties I wonder if I am meeting up to people's expectations....but after all is said and done, my kids' expectations are what matter, and I am at peace with a 'wasted day'.

007

2008-12-07T23:09:00.011+01:00

Agent A, code name Purple, (aka Gatte Phuqu) welcoming you to the biggest 007 reunion in the world as a send off for some of our highly trusted Agents to a new location. Enjoy, but be careful, not everything is always as it seems.

Our Grand Casino where we fling our hard earned money around...

Agent S on a stakeout in a nursery

Agent M looking for her next victim...

Agent Little in training...

Agent AV and A looking sweet and sassy but armed and dangerous...

Agent MI aquainting himself with his new 007 gadget....the latest weaponry on the market

Agent J with her weapon of choice

Agent S...don't get on her bad side

Agent D and M undercover as a couple

Agents M, J.M. and A about to blow their cover

Lot's of happy smiling people...but don't be fooled, behind the smiles are minds hatching devious plans of World domination or how to stop the dominators...

Ok, but we are harmless...I mean look at us...

Trying to take a nice pic...one too many drinks, girl...

pics courtesy of DV and Josh

Christmas Past

2008-12-03T20:23:00.003+01:00

I was browsing our home VDOs and came across this. It is from Christmas 2004. Kay was 7 at the time. Thought it was so cute as she looks so small compared to all the big guys.

Christmas Prep

2008-11-30T22:38:00.003+01:00

Making cards for the home's friends and supporters.

The kids did a practice run on their Christmas songs for some of our 12FS students. This is Liani's dancing debut. She did well!

Kids and Stuff

2008-11-27T17:41:00.003+01:00

Not yet 6 months....

He loves baths now that he can sit.

I love my mommy....

Blond Aladdin

Liani playing with Aliyah, daughter of our 12FS students

Kay had her 11th birthday party. We had 8 girls from the area over here.

Cinderella

5 Months

2008-11-15T22:13:00.004+01:00

Dustin has taken to the walker quite well. Ok he goes nowhere, but at least he sits there happily playing. Oh and he's got two teeth. Ouch!

Don't Ask

2008-11-10T21:59:00.002+01:00

Kenny was scribbling on the white baord and proudly showed his work of art, "Look, it's an emo and a punk."

Don't ask!!!...

They Will be Famous

2008-11-10T13:42:00.003+01:00

Kenny and Liani on the back of the German Christmas Activated mag...aren't they cute...

Better Late Then Never

2008-11-01T16:23:00.011+01:00

Ok, so, once upon a time we had a Virgo party.

I finally got some pics of the party, hence my late post....there are a few worthwhile pictures that show forth a happy bunch of _____ , myself included.

(Blank space for you to fill with whatever your imagination suggests.)

Speaking of which.....whatever

and...(sigh) yes he's my bro

Paula and Mich

Juan and Joana

Paula and Juan No. 2

DV and baby

Lana and Josh

Alice and daddy Tino

DV and Joan

Silas, Abi and Stella

Abi, Manu and Tabitha

Pretty girl.....forgot her name...shameful

The happy couple...nahah..just kidding...Lana, Gio and my baby

Almendra...hands up this is a stick up

Me, whattya know I can sorta dance

Manu and Joan

Paula and Evlyn...I love this pic

Ivan and Emy

Sam

Stella

Gio

To tweeet...David and Merc

Lana and Abi

First Snow

2008-10-29T23:14:00.003+01:00

We had our first snow today and its perfect snow...not sleety junk...if it continues snowing as has been, tomorrow we'll have some 'world in white' pics..

'smart' people....funny pics

2008-10-07T12:47:00.007+02:00

it's all about the animals

nothing can be expensive

don't go water skiing

great parenting

no kidding...

what a great deal

ummm....self explanatory

brilliant

Silly Thoughts

2008-10-03T12:48:00.001+02:00

We had an activity/talent night, and this poem is what I graced my home members with....

There was a man named Ted
Who knew he'd never wed
But one fine day
He met Miss Fay
And took back all he'd said

A wife OK, but a child won't do
Too much work through and through
But what a fright
On that wedding night
She announced when she'd be due.

One baby well that's fine
Won't take up too much time
But oh the shock
When from the doc
He learned there was really nine.

The moral of these silly thoughts
Is don't fill your mind with no's and not's
For what you refuse
Life will choose
To give you lots and lots.

Sunday Outing

2008-10-01T18:39:00.015+02:00

We took the kids to the Rheinfalls, the largest falls in Europe. When I say largest, don't expect anything too big....

top of the falls

This boat would take people out to a rock right in the middle of the falls

ummm...yeh

On the boat crossing the river

We got an "up close and personal" view

A front view of the falls with me in the way

Random pics of people doing random things

The Latest Me

2008-09-27T15:04:00.003+02:00

Here I am in the most recent picture of me. I rarely take pics...that can be posted that is...so this is a rare and priceless treasure...

Oh, and I finally fit into my pre-PG clothes. Yay!! What a joy! But I doubt anyone is interested in that so I just won't mention it. :-)

Happenings

2008-09-22T14:42:00.004+02:00

I walk in the room to see my boys all intently watching a VDO...Dustin is starting early...

Making a 2000 piece puzzle with my intelligent little ones...Liani did actually place a piece correctly

Darren and Kenny studying...

Sunday

2008-09-16T20:54:00.009+02:00

On Sunday we had an Open House/COL type of event. Quite a few people came and it went very well.

Me showing some happy people one of my kid's portfolio. The guy, who is our neighbor, was a school teacher and had made the math work books that the schools, where we live, use. He was very impressed with how we keep records and with the work the children do. Too bad there is no better picture.

Kay and Corinna playing games with some of the girls

Our display table

Some of our lovely crowd

Vera and Darren keeping the visitors busy

There was a PR presentation and all, but alas, I lack photographic evidence.

Happy Birthday Almendra

2008-09-10T18:32:00.000+02:00

I have lived with Almendra for almost 4 years now. She helped school my 2 boys for the better part of those years. She's fun to hang out with. We always have interesting conversations, usually about the same things, but they are never boring..heh. We've been through the good times and the bad times, though I dare say I can't remember any bad times. She's been a great friend and we have definitely had our share of fun and goofy times.

Here's to many more fun and goofy times when you come back from South America. And "Happy Birthday". May it be the most interesting year yet.

Pirate Party

2008-09-06T17:55:00.011+02:00

Kenny had his 6th birthday on Wednesday. We celebrated it today with a pirate party. First was special drinks, then a treasure hunt with a real treasure map, games, cake and ice-cream and a movie, "Swiss Family Robinson." Looked like the kids had lots of fun!

The Invitation

Details

The Cake

Some of the decor

Kenny with his treasure map

Some of our happy pirate crew

If God Had Been Seven....

2008-09-04T13:56:00.003+02:00

If God had been seven years old, and used napkins, cotton, glitter and wool when He created me, this is what I would look like....

....

....

....

....

....

by Darren 7

All I can say is "Thank God...."

Great Ambitions

2008-09-03T18:01:00.003+02:00

Arkos and Liani were outside with their bikes. Liani got on Arkos's bike and started riding it around. He commented, "How can you do that? You can ride a bike that is too big for you!" To which Liani matter-of-factly replied, "Yes, I could be famous."

Another Year

2008-08-28T21:18:00.003+02:00

So, yes, I am one more year older...hopefully one more year wiser.....definitely not one more year wealthier....but for sure one more year happier.

Highlights of my last year...my 5th kid, umm, umm, oh well that's a good enough highlight.
For my birthday I got a lot of wishes which turned it from just a birthday to a Happy Birthday. I also got a not so pleasant experience at the gyno...hahah...and my baby got some unexpected vaccinations and had a resultant fever.

On a happy side, I got a cute necklace and earring set from my hubby, bless his soul.

Family Day Out

2008-08-23T20:09:00.010+02:00

Went out with kids to a park by the lake. They went tracting. Too bad I did not get any shots of that, but I did take an odd assortment of photos.

Liani being her cheeky self.....

The boys with a new little friend who joined them in their game of catch....

I was hoping to find some things of interest to snap shots of.....seeing the best I could come up with is sad...

A tower from some old castle ruins behind the play ground

A couple guys trying hard to play ping-pong

Some Sunday loafers on their yacht. Was hoping to catch them doing something sneaky, but no such luck.

A Kiss

2008-08-23T13:48:00.004+02:00

A kiss can never be absolutely defined. Because each kiss is different from the one before and the one after. just as no two people are alike, so are no two kisses alike. For it is people who make kisses. Real,live people pulsating with life and love and extreme happiness.

Oh, that a joy so soon should waste,
Or so sweet a bliss as a kiss
Might not forever last!
So sugared, so melting, -so delicious.
The dew that lies on roses,
When the morn herself discloses,
Is not so precious.
Oh, rather than I would it smother
Were I to taste such another.
It. should be my wishing
That I might die kissing.
-Unknown

What is a kiss? alack, at worst,
A-single drop to quench a thirst,
Tho oft it proves in happier hour,
The first sweet drop of one long shower.
-Unknown

See the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves-clasp one another.
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother.
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What are are these kissings worth
If thou kiss not me?
-Shelley

Hi Dad

2008-08-21T22:27:00.002+02:00

All Alone

2008-08-18T17:33:00.005+02:00

DV and Kay are gone. They are on a trip to the States to visit her dad. I shall be a single mom for 1 week. Let's see how that goes. I vowed that I would not let myself become stressed out about all the things I can't do. So far so good, but it's only been a few hours...haha!

My Littlest Love

2008-08-17T16:01:00.002+02:00

2 months old. Sleeps like a rascal, which means rarely. Takes these silly 15 minute naps throughout the day. Amazing I accomplish anything at all. At least he sleeps well at night. He loves to be talked to and he tries very hard to answer back. Smiles a lot and that makes everything worth it.

A Sunset on the Seashore

2008-08-14T18:22:00.002+02:00

The clouds that turn and shiver,
In the air that blows and quivers.
There are birds that fly,
In the sky.
The tree that bends and leans,
Against the wind that blows and sings.
The waves that wash upon the shore,
Will soon do so no more.
The sun that stands on the horizon line,
Will, when it goes down, do just fine.
The land that is dark in the shade,
Is purple in the light, as the grass is jade.
Soon the night will come,
And the stars will shine on everyone.

Written by Kaylena R. Steiner 10 years old

The Benefit of Having Kids

2008-08-11T23:53:00.002+02:00

Obviously that's not the only reason...lol!

Party Time and I'm Back

2008-08-10T09:14:00.002+02:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, after months of hibernation, aka having a baby and skipping out on parties, as someone put it, "Your back!" For anyone who knows me, I love to dance, though I am far from being any kind of great dancer. Ironic huh? Anyways had a good bye party for some people from the other home and it was fun. hey hey vitamin A! Oh yeh!

Too bad I don't have any pics of me being crazy, but I found something that comes close enough.

Thank You

2008-08-09T10:07:00.001+02:00

Thank You for being

My strength when I am weak,

My health when I am ill,

My light when all is dark,

My love when all around is hate,

My peace when I am a jumble of confusion,

My joy when my heart is full of sorrow,

My smooth ride on a rocky road.

See what a mess I'd be without You?

My Lovely Kids

2008-08-07T10:44:00.005+02:00

We are your children. Out of the infinite we have come to you, and through you. We are the old, yet ever new, miracle of incarnation. Give us a chance to grow, within the warmth of your unfailing love, into souls sensitive to beauty, hearts open to love and hungry for the imperishable values of life. Enter with us, through the gates of wonder, into the wider perspectives of the morrow. Accept us, as we grow, into a fellowship of mutual respect and shared responsibilities, that we, in turn, may be worthy fathers and mothers of the coming generation.

All Things

2008-08-06T14:12:00.003+02:00

167- Through Me you can do all things; through holding onto the keys you can overcome all things; through praise you can be the victor in all things, through loving Me you receive power for all things; through hearing from Me you gain wisdom and grace and strength for all things; and through spending time with Me, absorbing Me and My Words, you can rise above all things.

Something Funny

2008-08-02T22:03:00.005+02:00

I was listening to an audio file for my word time. Later on I happened to glance quickly at my player and had to double take. The thought 'What on earth was I listening to?' crossed my mind for a fleeting second. See for yourself.

Swiss National Day

2008-08-01T18:56:00.004+02:00

Today is Swiss National Day (Celebrates the Oath of 1291, which is considered the start of the Swiss Confederation).

Would have gone to see the fireworks by the Zurich lake, but alas my baby hates those things and it rains.

So instead I fixed up my blog to make it look more 'An G' like. Quite happy with the outcome, until I can figure out how to work with html, xml, etc etc and make those darned templates I like work for me.

Wasted Time

2008-07-31T23:05:00.005+02:00

Spent hours looking for a template that has 'me' written all over it....found many, but none worked. What a waste of time. Settled for this stylish blue butterfly motif.
I'll learn how to write code and then nothing will be impossible.

My First Post Ever

2008-07-30T23:46:00.004+02:00

I vowed I would never make a blog because 'everyone does it', but I finally succumbed to the unoriginal pastime of blogging.